Getting a Cold? Do This Right Now

You may shave two days off a cold, per a 2012 review. Look for lozenges with zinc acetate or zinc gluconate and take one every couple of hours while symptoms last, says Lisa Cuchara, PhD, professor of biomedical science at Quinnipiac University, in Hamden, Connecticut.

It's not just an old wives' tale: This staple can help relieve symptoms of a cold, according to a study from the University of Nebraska.

Try one of these seven healthy chicken soup recipes.

RELATED: How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup With Spinach

It likely won't prevent a cold, but a review of 29 trials found that taking vitamin C daily as soon as you feel that first symptom may reduce your downtime by about 8%.

You need about 1 gram (1,000 mg) a day.

During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines that combat infection.

Getting enough shut-eye consistently will also help you prevent more sniffles in the future.

To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter